Protective Effect of Acanthopanax trifoliatus Extract on Rats with Alcoholic Liver Injury

Objective: To explore the hepatoprotective effects of different extracts of Acanthopanax trifoliatu, and provide a basis for the research and development of Acanthopanax trifoliatus anti-alcohol and liver-protecting functional foods. Method: Rats were fed by liquor (56% ethanol) to induce acute liver injury models, to study the effects of alcohol extract and water extract of Acanthopanax trifoliatus on the alcohol tolerance, sleep and sober time of rats. The concentration of ethanol in blood and the activites of ALT & AST in serum, activites of ADH, ALDH, SOD and contents of GSH and MDA in rat liver tissue were measured, and the changes of liver cell morphology by slice microscopic examination was observed. Results: Compared with the alcohol model group, except for the low-dose water extract group, there was no significant change in the drunken time (P>0.05), the various doses extract significantly prolonged the alcohol tolerance time and shortened the sleep and sober time (P<0.05, P<0.01); the various doses extract significantly reduced the ethanol mass concentration (P<0.01); except for the low-dose water extract group, there was no significant change in AST activity (P>0.05), all dose groups of extract could significantly inhibit the increase in rat serum ALT and AST activities caused by alcohol (P<0.05); all extracts significantly increased the activity of ADH, ALDH, SOD and GSH content in liver tissues (P<0.01), and reduced the content of MDA in liver tissues (P<0.01). The results of hepatocyte microscopy showed that all extracts could reduce the degree of liver cell degeneration caused by alcohol to a certain extent. Conclusion: Both the alcoholic and water extracts had good anti-alcoholic and liver-protective effects, in comparison, the alcohol extract was slightly better than the water extract.